Sacraments
INTRO TO SECTION ON SACRAMENTS
BAPTISM
If I am an adult seeking Baptism, what do I need to do?
We welcome all who want to receive the gift of divine life in the Catholic Church. If you are interested in learning more about receiving this sacrament and entering into full communion with the Catholic Church, please contact Sr. Nancy Citro at ncitro@stmarystcatherine.org or 617-242-4664.
Can anyone be godparent for my child?
A godparent is a spiritual role model for a person being baptized. They must be a practicing, confirmed Catholic. They do not have to be present at the Baptism but can have a proxy or “stand in” take their place at the ceremony. In some cases a practicing Christian of another church can take the role of “Christian witness” along with at least one Confirmed Catholic godparent.
How do I arrange a Baptism for my child?
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Baptisms at St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish are held once a month on varying dates at 1:30PM. The specific date for each month can be found in “Our Calendar” in the “What’s Happening” block on our Home Page.
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Parents and godparents attend a Baptism Preparation Class which takes place on the Friday evening before the monthly baptisms at 7PM at the Parish Center, 46 Winthrop Street
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To request a baptism, and / or if your schedule is in conflict with the monthly baptism dates, please contact Sr. Nancy Citro at 617-242-4664 or ncitro@stmarystcatherine.org
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Only a parent or a legal guardian can request the baptism of a child.
CONFESSION
When are Confessions held at St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish?
Can I go to confession at times outside of the regular schedule?
What do I need to do to make a good confession?
Usually, Fr. Ronan is available in Church to hear confessions on Saturdays between 3:30 and 3:45PM except on Holy Saturday. Periodically, we have a communal penance service after which a number of priests are available to hear individual confessions.
Yes. Confessions are available by appointment by calling our Pastor, Fr. Ronan at the Parish Center at 617-242-4664.
Take some time beforehand to review your life and identify any sins you have committed. Any serious sins you recall should be confessed with repentance and a sincere sorrow for sin. The priest will give you a penance, which is a prayer or act that allows you to show your repentance. There is a brief prayer, an act of contrition that expresses your sorrow for sin. The priest concludes by giving you pardon/absolution.
FIRST COMMUNION / EUCHARIST
How can my child make his or her first communion?
What if my child is older than the second grade?
Can I request communion for a loved one who is home bound?
Can I bring Communion to a relative or friend who is in the hospital or home bound?
In collaboration with parents, we provide a two year program of preparation for children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion beginning in the first grade and concluding in second grade. Please see the Religious Education section of this website and contact Sr. Nancy Citro for further information at ncitro@stmarystcatherine.org or 617-242-4664.
In collaboration with parents, we will work to prepare the older children for First Communion.
We welcome the opportunity to provide pastoral visits and communion for homebound parishioners. Please contact Sr. Nancy Citro at ncitro@stmarystcatherine.org or call her at 617-242-4664 to arrange a visit with a priest. Our priests and deacons and communion ministers all make visits to make arrangements.
To give the Eucharist to another, a Catholic must be trained and authorized. We prepare confirmed Catholics to become Communion Ministers with much care. To be eligible for this ministry a Catholic must live a life of faith and charity consistent with the gift of the Eucharist.
CONFIRMATION
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When are young people usually confirmed?
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What should I do if I was not confirmed in high school? I know I cannot be a Godparent for a Catholic, or be commissioned as a Lector or Communion Minister, if I am not confirmed. What can I do?